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Pests
Slugs and Snails on Broccoli
Commonly affects: Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)
Irregular holes with smooth edges appear in leaves, often accompanied by silvery slime trails, with damage typically worse after rain or in the evening.
Potential Causes
- 1Slugs and snails feeding at night or during damp, overcast weather
- 2Moist mulch or dense ground cover providing daytime shelter
- 3Young, tender seedlings being especially vulnerable
Solution Steps
- 1Hand-pick slugs and snails in the evening or early morning when they're active
- 2Use iron phosphate-based slug bait, which is safe around pets and wildlife
- 3Reduce daytime hiding spots by clearing dense mulch near vulnerable seedlings
- 4Set beer traps or copper tape barriers around especially valuable plants
Prevention Tip
Iron phosphate slug bait is an effective, pet-safe option that breaks down harmlessly, unlike older metaldehyde-based baits.
